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Bin bags and battered cases: Eastern European beggars back at Marble Arch as Mayor warns of more to come

A group of Eastern European beggars today returned to Marble Arch hours after Mayor of London Boris Johnson warned EU law will leave authorities powerless to stop penniless immigrants from settling in the capital.

The “family” of around 15 set up camp at the iconic West End landmark which has become a magnet for travellers arriving in London. The group’s suitcases, makeshift bedding and bin bags stuffed full of possessions littered the area.

Immigrants return: Eastern Europeans have returned to Marble Arch (Picture: Glenn Copus)
One, who would not give his name, said in broken English: “We come here today to try and find jobs. We are all one family. The police have told us we are going to get moved.”

Another, who described herself as the mother of the group, said: “We sleep here. We have no money or food.”

Nuisance: the group have annoyed local businesses (Picture: Glenn Copus)
The latest return of rough sleepers to the area came as Mr Johnson warned that lifting EU labour market restrictions on Romania and Bulgaria would open the floodgates to immigrants.

At least 70,000 citizens from the two countries are expected to come to the UK over the next five years and the majority are thought likely to stay in London.

Mr Johnson said: “It’s time to sort out the immigration system so that we end the madness.

Eyesore: the group's suitcases litter the area (Picture: Glenn Copus)
“At the moment we are claiming to have capped immigration by having a 60 per cent reduction in New Zealanders, when we can do nothing to stop the entire population of Transylvania - charming though most of them may be - from trying to pitch camp at Marble Arch.”

Shopkeepers today said the relaxation of EU controls could be “catastrophic” for the area.

Sleeping rough: Maria is one of the group of Romanians (Picture: Glenn Copus)
Arum Tyagi, who runs a stall in City Souvenirs opposite Marble Arch, said: “They cause a lot of disturbance, touching the customers and asking them for money. One woman tried to throw some liquid at another worker here – it’s a constant problem.

“For somewhere like Oxford Street which attracts people from all over the world. Visitors will go back and say London is fine apart from you get loads of beggars on the streets.

'We have no money or food': one of the beggars (Picture: Glenn Copus)
“It will be worse in January. The impact will be catastrophic because this is where they seem to gather.”

Ali Shariati, manager of the Crest of London souvenir shop, said: “It’s obviously quite worrying. I don’t know what they do for a living, but from what I’ve heard in the media, people talk about them being pickpockets and in organised crime and if this is how they live then obviously you would be worried if the problem was to escalate next year.”